Have Mercy on Me

Our devotional has been diving into what it truly means to be a Christian and a disciple of Jesus Christ. This week, we're focusing on the posture of prayer. I'll start us off with a prayer, and I invite you to join me as we study the principle of a humble heart when we address our perfect God.

Holy Spirit, thank You for always being present with me. Today, help me to reflect on Your Word as I consider Your expectations of how I should approach You in prayer. You are welcome in my life today and in these next few moments of study. Amen.

Luke 18:9-14 (NLT)  
9 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: 10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank You, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! 12 I fast twice a week, and I give You a tenth of my income.’ 13 But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

As a new Christian, praying never came easily to me. Then I learned that having a conversation with God need not – and should not – be a show. I don’t know how or where I picked up the lie that prayers should be flowery and “word perfect.” Interestingly, one of the first things I learned in law school was that “Lawyers should never talk like they’re a lawyer.” Why? Because lawyers have the worst reputation for sputtering lengthy nonsense peppered with “twenty-dollar words.” But even a judge doesn’t want to hear a rambling, Broadway performance of legalese. Get to the point! Be concise and truthful! That’s the recipe for a winning opening and closing argument.

Sometimes when we approach God in prayer, it’s easy to slip into comparing ourselves to others. In today’s reading, Jesus got straight to the heart of the matter with the arrogant lawyer (Pharisee) and revealed that the Pharisee’s words were weighed against his true intention: to be seen by everyone as a righteous, honorable person. Jesus uses the example of the Pharisee and the tax collector to show us that if we come to Him like the tax collector: humbly, with an attitude of repentance (a changing of our minds towards the things of God), then He will honor and accept our best attempt. When we approach Him with an understanding that we are nothing and that we need His mercy, He takes even our most simple words and makes room for a genuine encounter with Him.

What would you say is your biggest obstacle in your daily prayers or discussion with God? Take a moment and ask God to help you identify how to overcome this obstacle or barrier.

Is there any pride or self-righteousness in your life similar to that of the Pharisee? Ask God to help you examine your own life to see if there is any part of you that is approaching Him with the wrong attitude.

After spending some time reflecting on these questions, take your needs to God in honest prayer. Below are a few prompts to help get you started.

God, it is my honest desire to come before You today, and every day humbly, and with the understanding that I am absolutely nothing without Your power and presence...

Holy Spirit, reassure me and help me to communicate with You in prayer as I face...

May God’s ever-constant power and peace strengthen you today as you walk and talk with Him!